Skipper Brendon McCullum says New Zealand can look ahead in positive fashion after falling agonisingly short of claiming a Test series victory over England.

New Zealand came within one wicket of taking the deciding third Test in Auckland as England survived a tense fifth day to bat out for a draw.

Once the disappointment fades, McCullum says the Black Caps can be encouraged the direction in which they are travelling.

“There’s been huge positives in this series,” he said of the three draws.

Among them was the performance of the openers, newcomer Hamish Rutherford and the recalled Peter Fulton.

Rutherford marked his Test debut by scoring 171 in Wellington.

Fulton became the fourth New Zealander to get a century in both innings of a Test with 136 and 110 in Auckland.

“The top of the order has been such a problem for us for so long,” McCullum said.

“To have two guys coming into this series and both of them getting hundreds, and for Peter to back up with another, is a great story.”

The series was New Zealand’s second since McCullum took over as captain from Ross Taylor.

McCullum tweaked a hamstring on the final day while running to prevent a boundary and he went off briefly.

While his mobility in the field was restricted, he said he just wanted to be out in the middle.

“I was trying to stay out there to win a Test for my country,” he said.

“I certainly wasn’t worrying about my hamstring.”

The Black Caps head to England in May for a tour that includes Test, one-day and Twenty20 series, as well as the Champions Trophy.